is selected from a tract published in York, in
1822, detailing several interesting visits that a Yorkshire clergyman
made to some of the camps of that wandering and neglected people. Were
the author of the little book known, application would have been made to
him, for permission to reprint these extracts. But it is hoped he will
excuse the liberty taken, as the design is to _induce other clergymen and
ministers to go and do likewise_. This clergyman, having fallen in with
a gang of Gipsies on the road, who were travelling to their place of
encampment, addressed a young female among them, and found her not
ignorant of religion. "How," said the clergyman, "did you obtain the
knowledge of religion?" "Sir," answered she, "in the depth of winter,
the men folks only travel; the women and children belonging to my family
and party, always live in the town. In those seasons I have gone with
some of our relatives, who live there, and are religious people, to the
worship of God: in that way I have learned these things."

"This was a practical comment on the text which says, _The entrance of
the word giveth light_; _it giveth __understanding to the simple_. After
giving her some suitable advice, and with it his benediction, he left
her; but not without hopeful expectations that the seeds of grace were
sown in her heart.

"He next overtook the grandmother and several of her grandchildren. She
was pleased at his noticing her, and answered his enquiries with modesty
and propriety. She corroborated what her daughter had said, and in her
answers discovered not only an acquaintance with the general truths of
the Gospel, but a feeling sense of their importance. She said, 'I love
to go to church, and do go _now_, sir, when I can; but do not always meet
with the right doctrines: my prayers I offer up night and morning, under
the hedge. I hope God Almighty hears my prayers.' The clergyman
observed, that sincere prayer was acceptable to God any where, equally
under the hedge, as in the parlour, or in the church. When arrived at
their camp, he promised them a Bible, as they had none, and directed some
of the party to call at the friend's house in the neighbourhood where he
was staying. Soon after his return thither, a knock was heard at the
door, when it was announced, 'Two Gipsies, sir, are come for a Bible.'
On going out, he found in the hall the young man who could read, and a
younger brother, a fine boy of about fourteen ye